Ben Weekes

Wheelchair Tennis

"You need to challenge yourself against your opponent and find a way to win. I love the battle."

Born on the 20th September 1984 in Sydney, Australia, Benjamin Weekes is one of Australia’s top-ranked wheelchair tennis players for both singles and doubles. Involved in wheelchair sports from an early age, when Ben was just 13 he developed a blood clot in his spine leading him to become an incomplete paraplegic (being able to walk with the help of walking stick).

Soon after his diagnosis, his passion for wheelchair tennis emerged after watching fellow Australian David Hall win gold at Sydney 2000. "I didn't let it stop me from competing in sport. I turned my devotion to wheelchair Tennis and was lucky enough to watch fellow Australian David Hall win gold in the Sydney Games. This helped me to develop the desire to reach the same goal. As I'd already played tennis before my injury, the most difficult part was getting used to the movement in my wheelchair and trying to co-ordinate my hands and arms to both moving and hitting. At the start it was almost too difficult that I wanted to give up. But having the chance to watch the best players in the world compete and seeing the speed and agility that they could achieve helped me to see what was possible and I got stuck in and worked hard until I could do the same or better."

Since then, Ben has recorded a number of impressive tournament results all over the world and first broke into the top 10 position in 2007. Achieving consistent results to retain his position as one of the world’s best, his proudest moments so far have been representing his country, tasting his first success as a 17–year old, and leading the Australian junior team to second position at the World Team Cup in Italy. "Wheelchair tennis has given me so many great opportunities. Being able to travel around the world, keep fit, challenge myself to always find ways to improve and compete at the highest level. I've met so many great people, coaches, training partners, teammates and rivals. But what I like most is that the sport is always changing and you need to challenge yourself against your opponent and find a way to win. I love the battle."